Boot-fastening.



Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

FJO'Brlen.

lnvenior.

H'orney COLUMBM PLANOGRAPH 20., WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNIT FRANK JAMES oBnInNQor CHRISTCHURCH, new ZEALAND.

BOOT-FASTENING.

misses.

Application filed May 14, 1915.

v To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK JAMES OBRIEN,

a citizen of the Dominion of New Zealand, and residing at Christchurch, in the Provincial District of Canterbury, in the Dominion of New Zealand, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boot-Fastenings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved safety fastening for boots, and more particularly for boots used by shunters and others whose occupation are sometimes dangerous.

Persons engaged in railway yards are in danger of getting their feet caught in the points during shunting operations and many accidents occur through the persons being unable to extricate a boot caught by the points. With my invention, such accidents may be entirely avoided, as upon being caught the foot may be instantly removed from the boot by merely exerting a little pressure.

The invention consists of a buckle retained by a spring which is secured to the boot by a loop of leather or the like. This spring has an open end which allows the buckle to be released when pressure is exerted by the foot. A strap attached to the other side of v the boot is adapted to be engaged by the buckle, and in use would have the appearance of an ordinary boot of that type. In the event, however, of the wearer getting caught it is only necessary to give a sharp pull when the buckle will be drawn through the open end of the spring, thus enabling the foot to be released.

The drawing herewith illustrates the invention.

Figure 1, is a perspective view of a boot fitted with the invention. Fig. 2, is an enlarged elevation, and Fig. 3, an enlarged plan of the invention.

The buckle 1 has its rear bar 2 gripped in recesses formed in a spring clip 3, the said clip having an open end 4:, and its other end being attached by a ring 5 and a loop 6, t0 the boot 7. A strap 8 attached to the other side of the boot 7 is adapted to be engaged by the buckle 1 the end of the strap passing through a loop 9, upon the spring Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

Serial No. 28,224.

clip 3. When in use the boot has the appearance of an ordinary boot of this type.

The grip of the spring clip 3 upon the bar 2, is sufiicient to retain the buckle under ordinary wear and usage. In the event, however, of the boot being caught in a railway point or the like, the wearer can release his foot by giving a sharp pull, when the bar 2, will be drawn through the open end 4 of the spring clip 8, thus releasing the fastening and leaving the foot free to be withdrawn from the boot.

What I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A boot fastener comprising a strap adapted to be connected to one side of the boot, a buckle having strap engaging means, a spring clipping member the front end of which is adapted to engage the rear end of said buckle and be automatically disengaged by a pull on the buckle and clipping member in opposite directions, and means adapted to connect the rear end of said clipping member to the other side of the boot.

, 2. A boot fastener comprising a strap adapted to be connected to one side of the boot, a buckle having strap engaging means, a substantially U-shaped spring clipping member the front end of which is adapted to engage the rear end of said buckle and be automatically disengaged by a pull on the buckle and clipping member in opposite directions, and means adapted to connect the rear end of said clipping member to the other side of the boot.

3. A boot fastener comprising a strap adapted to be connected to one side of the boot, a buckle having strap engaging means, a spring clipping member the front end of which is adapted to engage the rear end of said buckle, and be automatically disengaged by a pull on the buckle and clipping member in opposite directions, a ring engaging the rear end of said clipping member and means adapted to connect said ring to the other side of the boot.

4. A boot fastener comprising a strap adapted to be connected to one side of the boot, a buckle having a tongue at its front end which engages said strap, a substantially U-shaped spring clipping member the front end of which is adapted to detachably engage the rear end of said buckle, a ring In testimony whereof I have signed my engaging the rear end of said U-shaped ciipname to this specification in the presence of ping member, means adapted to connect said two Witnesses. ring to the other side ofthe boot, and a sec- FRANK JAMES OBRIEN.

0nd ring also engaging said U-shaped clip- Witnesses: ping member and adapted to be engaged b G. A. J. HART, the end of said strap. 7 R. D. REESE.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Paten s. Washington, D. 0. 

